|
Obituary
Conrad Hugh “Jack” Thornburgh,
77, of Huntington, succumbed to health problems on January 17, 2013 in
Cabell Huntington Hospital. He battled heart and circulatory problems for
many years. He was born August 31, 1935 in Huntington, a son of the late
Hugh and Pauline Stiltner Thornburgh. He attended Huntington East High &
Trade School, Huntington School of Business, the University of South Florida
and Marshall University. He also attended several military schools while
serving in the US Navy and Air Force from 1953 to 1966. He started working
at a young age for his father in the wholesale meat business and at the
Palace Theater. After leaving the military, Jack moved to Plant City, FL,
where he started a family. He was employed in the insurance industry,
holding Florida life, health, accident and fire insurance licenses. He was
President of North Seminole Little League in Tampa, Florida for 4 years. He
was employed for some time as a Student Teacher by Hillsborough Board of
Public Instruction. Active as Assistant Personnel Director for the City of
Tampa before being employed by Dun and Bradstreet in Tampa for 10 years.
After suffering his first heart attack, Jack moved back home to his beloved
Huntington, WV. He was active in the campaigns of Mayor Bobby Nelson and
Senator Ned Jones. After a hiatus due to health problems he was employed by
the City of Huntington as Director of Audit and Compliance. He retired in
1999 after further heart surgery. He then became active in the campaign of
David Felinton for Mayor and was later named as Director of Administration
and Finance for the City, holding that position for seven years. In 2007,
heart problems once again forced him into retirement. He was a Director at
Valley Health Systems, Inc. since 1979 and served as the Chairman, Chairman
Emeritus and Vice Chairman. He served on several boards as Director or
President and on Committees for Marshall University. Founder of Marshall
Commons, he was instrumental in deciding location and size of the new
stadium. Since 1986 he had several heart attacks and surgeries. He is
survived by two sons, Jack Thornburgh, Jr. (Beverly) and Patrick Thornburgh
and one daughter, Heather (Chris) Mullins, two brothers Thomas (Barbara)
Thornburgh, Chesapeake, OH and Donald F. Osborne, Ft Lauderdale, FL.; seven
special grandchildren: Angela and Andrew Thornburgh, Brittany and Cory
Mullins, Macayla, Blake, and Kaiden Thornburgh; several loved nephews,
especially Thomas Dale Thornburgh, Jr. (Etta) and a niece Debbie Chapman
(Bill); Maternal Aunt Vivian Osburn, Proctorville, OH; paternal Aunt Bea
Tompkins, Ranggold, GA.; first cousins Don, Arthur, Stan and Ann Thornburgh.
Also surviving are Johnny and Mary Scarberry, good friends and helpmates in
his time of serious illness. He considered the City of Huntington employees
as his extended family and Mayor David Felinton as his “honorary” son. He
was always trying to help people to the best of his ability. He was a
Kentucky Colonel, Cherry River Navy Admiral, member of the American Legion,
member of the B.P.O.E. #313, Odd Fellows, The Moose Lodge and the Marine
Corps League. He also served on the Huntington Municipal Development board,
the Urban Renewal Authority, Huntington Municipal Parking Board, Mayor's
Committee for Central Garage, Cable Advisory Board and represented the Mayor
many times in the Mayor’s absence. Jack also served on the Carter G. Woodson
Committee and Mountain State Center for Living; the Director for Marshall
University Economic Development Administration and the Mayor’s Committee on
the Central Garage and Motor Pool Board. Funeral services will be conducted
at 1 pm Tuesday at the Reger Funeral Chapel by Rev. Jerry Chapman. Burial
will follow in Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington. Friends may call from 6
to 8 pm Monday at the Reger Funeral Home.
|
